Police Officer Involved Domestic Violence.
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Thursday, May 27, 2010

[NY] Indictment against Albany Police Officer Robert Schunk alleges bruises, cuts, and swelling on girlfriend were from A GUN

...Police reports filed in the case state Schunk, and his girlfriend, Barbara Waters, have a history of alcohol-fueled domestic troubles... The [Albany Police Officer Robert] Schunk indictment, meanwhile, alleged he caused cuts, bruises, swelling and other pain to a woman that were inflicted by a gun...

Second Albany cop faces counts
Times Union - Albany NY
By ROBERT GAVIN, Staff writer
Thursday, May 27, 2010
[Excerpts] Officer Robert Schunk faces a possible 21/3 to 7 years in prison on a felony assault charge. Schunk, who allegedly pointed a gun at his girlfriend during an argument last year, was arrested Tuesday after an Albany grand jury indicted him... The Schunk indictment, meanwhile, alleged he caused cuts, bruises, swelling and other pain to a woman that were inflicted by a gun between Jan. 3 and 4. The grand jury's probe stems from statements Barbara J. Waters of Halfmoon made to Albany detectives last month after she and Schunk, 38, of Albany both were arrested following a violent domestic incident that began in the town of Halfmoon. The couple are no longer together. Waters alleged that Schunk pointed a gun at her in January 2009 during an argument that she said became physical. The department did not immediately announce the arrests... Schunk's case was prosecuted by Lyn A. Murphy of the Saratoga County district attorney's domestic violence unit. A judge appointed Murphy as a special prosecutor... [Full article here]

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Violence in records of Albany cop: Policeman accused of kicking girlfriend during argument at her apartmentTimes Union - Albany NY
By BRENDAN J. LYONS, Senior writer
April 6, 2010
[Excerpts] An Albany police officer who was arrested for roughing up his girlfriend early Saturday allegedly caused bruising to her arms and legs when he grabbed and kicked her during an argument at the woman's apartment, records show. Police reports filed in the case state the officer, Robert Schunk, and his girlfriend, Barbara Waters, have a history of alcohol-fueled domestic troubles. Waters also was arrested for charges she caused extensive damage to Schunk's apartment in Albany that same night. Albany police officials said they suspended Schunk on Sunday morning following his arrest by Saratoga County sheriff's deputies. He was arrested on a warrant charging him with misdemeanor counts of criminal trespass, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief. Schunk, 38, also was cited for harassment, a violation, for kicking open the woman's bathroom door, grabbing her and throwing her against the shattered door and causing her to cut her hands, police said. The reckless endangerment count relates to the woman's statement that Schunk nearly ran her over when he backed up his pick-up truck as she tried to retrieve items he took from her apartment following the physical confrontation. The incident at her apartment took place about 1:30 a.m. Three hours later in Albany, Waters, 36, was charged with a felony count of criminal mischief by Albany police. She is accused of entering Schunk's Albany residence that night and causing an estimated $3,000 worth of damage, including dumping cooking oil on his belongings... Neighbors told police they saw Schunk enter the apartment and leave several minutes later clutching a bag. A neighbor said Schunk was "whistling and singing"... Schunk had seen Waters speaking to a male patron, she said, Schunk dumped a beer over her head and took her keys as he accused her of having "a party" at her apartment without his knowledge. "I said: 'No, Bob, I didn't.' Then he called me a bitch (and) told me I keep secrets from him," Waters said. "He said I'm going to take your tv and we're done." Waters said she left the bar, went to her apartment and Schunk followed, using her keys to unlock the door. He started yelling. Two neighbors gave statements to police that they were startled awake by the screaming and one of them heard a loud bang that may have been Schunk kicking in a bathroom door. One of the neighbors said it was common for the couple, who have been together more than two years, to have heated arguments... A domestic incident report on file in Halfmoon Town Court indicates there is "prior domestic violence history" and that police reports had been filed in the past related to the couple's problems. The incident report also indicates Schunk has an "alcohol history"... Under departmental policy officers on the Albany force are required to report any contact with other law enforcement agencies if an incident involves a police response or potential criminal activity. Schunk was arraigned early Saturday in Halfmoon Town Court. A judge set bail at $1,000 cash, which records indicate was posted by Christian Mesley, a fellow Albany officer and president of the Albany Police Officers Union. He is due back in town court on April 13. It's the second time in five years that Schunk has been arrested and suspended from duty... [Full article here]

Grand jury probes officer: Panel is weighing allegations Albany cop pointed gun at his girlfriend during fight
Times Union - Albany NY
By BRENDAN J. LYONS, Senior writer
May 16, 2010
[Excerpts] A grand jury is investigating allegations that an Albany police officer leveled a gun at his girlfriend during an argument early last year that turned physical, according to two people familiar with the investigation. The grand jury probe of Officer Robert Schunk, who has been arrested twice in the past six years, stems from statements the girlfriend, Barbara J. Waters, made to Albany detectives last month after she and Schunk, 38, both were arrested following a violent domestic incident that began in the town of Halfmoon. The couple are no longer together... Albany County prosecutors have recused their office from handling Waters' allegations that Schunk pointed a gun at her in January 2009 during an argument that she said became physical. Waters declined to be interviewed for this story... In a deposition filed in Albany City Court, Schunk said he arrived at his residence about 1:50 a.m. on April 3 and spotted Waters' vehicle parked outside. He drove around until she left and then discovered someone had broken a window to get inside. "I stayed outside and called South Station," Schunk wrote. "Upon entering my home I observed glass all over." He estimated the damage "to be approximately $1,000 to replace and clean up." Schunk's statement to Albany police did not make any reference to a fight he had with Waters about an hour earlier at her apartment in Halfmoon. Saratoga County deputies arrested Schunk after Waters gave a statement that he had struck her, injured her and allegedly backed his pickup truck toward her as she gave chase on foot trying to retrieve belongings he took from her apartment... Police records in Halfmoon accuse Schunk of bruising Waters' arms and legs when he grabbed and kicked her during an argument. Schunk also is accused of kicking open Waters' bathroom door, grabbing her and throwing her against the shattered door and causing her to cut her hands... Schunk is due back in Halfmoon Town Court on June 8. Waters, a self-employed nanny, is due back in Albany City Court next week... [Full article here][police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence (IPV) abuse law enforcement public safety new york state repeat hx mutual combat female pistol whipped whip]

2 comments:

He was acquitted of all charges in two hours by a jury containing four women. Albany Times Union article link: http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Cop-acquitted-of-holding-gun-to-ex-girlfriend-s-1007428.php